{"id":395,"date":"2013-11-11T00:00:45","date_gmt":"2013-11-10T22:00:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.myscience.fi\/en\/?p=395"},"modified":"2017-06-15T17:36:29","modified_gmt":"2017-06-15T14:36:29","slug":"new-luma-centre-finland-to-enhance-stem-skills","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.myscience.fi\/en\/news\/2013\/11\/11\/new-luma-centre-finland-to-enhance-stem-skills\/","title":{"rendered":"New LUMA Centre Finland to Enhance STEM Skills"},"content":{"rendered":"

The new\u00a0LUMA<\/span>\u00a0Centre Finland was opened on November 8th 2013 as an umbrella organization for Finnish\u00a0LUMA<\/span>\u00a0Centres.<\/p>\n

On Friday November 8th the launch of\u00a0LUMA<\/span>\u00a0Centre Finland\u00a0was celebrated in an opening ceremony at the Kumpula Science Campus at the University of Helsinki.\u00a0LUMA<\/span>\u00a0Centre Finland is a brand new concept that brings national\u00a0STEM<\/span>\u00a0education efforts closer together. The Centre was officially opened by the Finnish Minister for Education, Ms\u00a0Krista Kiuru.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The aim of\u00a0LUMA<\/span>\u00a0Centre Finland is to inspire and motivate children and youth into mathematics, natural sciences and technology through the latest methods and activities of science and technology education. The aim is also to support the life-long learning of teachers working on levels of education from early childhood to universities, and to strengthen the development of research-based teaching.<\/p>\n

LUMA<\/span>\u00a0Centre Finland will be an umbrella organisation for both Finnish and international endeavours to promote the sciences. The Centre will motivate children and young people to study mathematics, science and technology through new approaches, support teachers in developing their professional skills throughout their careers from early education to institutions of higher education, and enhance the development of research-based teaching at universities.<\/p>\n

Minister Kiuru recognized the importance of the challenges\u00a0STEM<\/span>\u00a0education is facing.\u00a0\u201cAlthough we Finns can be glad and proud of our success in international student evaluations, there is plenty of work to be done in improving skills in natural sciences, technology and mathematics,\u201d<\/em>\u00a0she reminded in her speech.<\/p>\n

According to Kiuru\u00a0LUMA<\/span>\u00a0Centre Finland could be part of the solution to these challenges. Already the regional centres\u00a0\u201dhave been able to develop and research a rich variety of diverse activities to support learning and teaching. The centres offer plenty of approaches to engage students and youth in\u00a0STEM<\/span>\u00a0subjects,\u201d<\/em>\u00a0she said and added that the\u00a0LUMA<\/span>\u00a0centres are important collaboration partners and pioneers in developing\u00a0STEM<\/span>\u00a0education.<\/p>\n

LUMA<\/span>\u00a0Centre Finland is a led network<\/strong><\/h3>\n

LUMA<\/span>\u00a0Centre Finland unites the ten regional\u00a0LUMA<\/span>\u00a0Centres into a led network. In the\u00a0LUMA<\/span>\u00a0Centre Finland Finnish universities join their forces and efforts to achieve something new and unique in\u00a0STEM<\/span>\u00a0education. The concept will strengthen collaboration on national and international levels.<\/p>\n

LUMA<\/span>\u00a0Centre Finland will cooperate closely with educational institutions and authorities as well as the business sector. International cooperation is a key part of the Centre\u2019s operations. Ten\u00a0LUMA<\/span>\u00a0Centres connected with Finnish universities or university consortia form the heart of the network:<\/p>\n